Should I make Longhorn modifications, and how much would you pay?

Art_Chicago · « **Reply #20 on:** 23 Nov 2009, 11:47 pm »

All right, but Grado is fine for the direct-drive TT's, right? How about AR that you have? thanks

Lefty052347 · « **Reply #21 on:** 24 Nov 2009, 04:41 am »

The Grados work fine with the AR XA and XB models. Later AR's lost their motor shielding. I just don't know when that happened.

Regards,
Dean

Art_Chicago · « **Reply #22 on:** 24 Nov 2009, 05:19 am »

Thanks, Dean!
There is an AR ES-1 on ebay now, so I was thinking

jrtrent · « **Reply #23 on:** 24 Nov 2009, 01:10 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 23 Nov 2009, 10:25 pm

Yes, I like the idea of starting with a new cartridge but would stick to just Grado, probably the green and the gold. This is a known cartridge to benefit from the mod and is a safer bet.

I think Frank and I will discuss this later, but if things work out, I guess I'd have fun building some Longhorns. I just hope there is enough interest to keep me busy.

My interest in the Longhorn came a little too late, and I missed the opportunity to get one from Audio by Van Alstine. I like Grado's basic sound and have tried a few lower-end models now ranging from the Green to the Statement Platinum. The standard Green is a great cartridge (the Platinum offering real, but subtle improvements) and the one I'd be most interested in getting in Longhorn form.

The last price I saw for an AVA Longhorn was $129 ($55 for a new stylus), but I think the standard Green was selling for $60.00 at the time ($30 for stylus). By this ratio, $172.00 could be a rough starting point for price today (and $75 for a stylus replacement). I would be very interested if it could be offered at somewhere near that price point.

P.S. I'm sure Frank would have suggestions for safe, efficient packaging/shipping of the product.

jrtrent · « **Reply #24 on:** 24 Nov 2009, 01:40 pm »

Quote from: Art_Chicago on 23 Nov 2009, 11:36 pm

Would you list the turntables that should NOT be used with the Grado cartridges?

As Wayner said, that's tough to do. There's a Grado hum database on Audiokarma, but it's of limited usefulness and contains some conflicting data. A Grado hums on my LP12, but I only hear it when the stylus is in the lead-out groove; that is, no music playing and the arm/cartridge at its closest point to the AC motor. I've heard a similar level of hum on Rega turntables. Some find this unacceptable while others happily ignore it. I did need to relocate my Linn LK1 preamp farther away from the turntable as it proved a source of hum also (though, strangely, I had no such issues with my current OmegaStar PAT-5). My main turntable right now is a Well Tempered Record Player. Also an AC motor, but mounted farther away from the spindle and I hear no hum whatsoever with a Grado on it.

avahifi · « **Reply #25 on:** 24 Nov 2009, 01:46 pm »

Grado cartridges do not like unshielded AC motors.

I like turntables with external AC to DC power supplies (wall warts) because then there is no AC at all near the cartridge or the internal turntable wiring.

Or you can do like I did and showed you how to do it in my Audio
Basics newsletter - - - move the AC to DC converter circuits from an internal turntable supply into an external box.

Frank

Minn Mark · « **Reply #26 on:** 24 Nov 2009, 06:05 pm »

I used a Longhorn Grado from AVA on my SOTA Comet without hum issues. The problem was....when using the SOTA reflex clamp I was unable to listen to the last few grooves of many LPs because the Lonhorn hit the edge of the clamp before the LP-side ended. Sure was a great cart for the $$ (still have it, but retired). Using a Sumiko Blackbord now, but would highly recommend the AVA/Grado Longhorn w/o reservation.

Cheers,

Mark

thunderbrick · « **Reply #27 on:** 24 Nov 2009, 06:10 pm »

OK, guys, what the heck is a Longhorn mod???? Do they paint the cartridge that gawd-awful orange that UT uses??

Seriously, is it available for MM, MC or both types? What does the mod do for music?

Bob

avahifi · « **Reply #28 on:** 24 Nov 2009, 09:41 pm »

Go to www.avahifi.com and under Resources on the home page top pop-down menu select Audio Basics Newsletters.

Find and download the 1984 Audio Basics .pdf file. The April, 1984 section will tell you about the Longhorn stabilizer and how to make one yourself. The issue also contains a lot of other useful stuff.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

Dan Kolton · « **Reply #29 on:** 25 Nov 2009, 12:57 am »

Neither my Grado Statement Sonata, nor my Green Longhorn with Gold stylus hums on my Technics SL1200Mk2, but the Green used to hum near the leadout grooves on a Thorens TD160.

Wayner · « **Reply #30 on:** 25 Nov 2009, 04:21 pm »

The K and S channel #181 is no longer made. I am going to re-engineer the long horn using different stock parts. Stay tuned.

Wayner

Listens2tubes · « **Reply #31 on:** 25 Nov 2009, 07:02 pm »

When I did mine I could only find square stock. So I cut one side off with my Dremmel tool.

Wayner · « **Reply #32 on:** 25 Nov 2009, 09:03 pm »

I have found 15 pieces. Let's see if the guy comes thru.

Wayner.

Wayner · « **Reply #33 on:** 25 Nov 2009, 10:13 pm »

I bought 15 lengths. Perhaps some of the last stock in the world. (hee, hee).

W

Brett Buck · « **Reply #34 on:** 26 Nov 2009, 07:33 am »

Quote from: Listens2tubes on 25 Nov 2009, 07:02 pm

When I did mine I could only find square stock. So I cut one side off with my Dremmel tool.

I wouldn't have bothered with that - stuff the tube with clay. Its easy - just push the tube into a block of the clay so it takes a "core sample", then pack it in, then stuff some solder in each end and hold it with super glue.

Brett

Wayner · « **Reply #35 on:** 26 Nov 2009, 12:49 pm »

I am keeping true to the design. I have fooled with the square and even round tubes. They offer new challenges (plasticlay melts), and are way more difficult to produce with uniform outcome. The open channel allows for proper allotments of solder (see Audio Basics) and plasticlay. The notch is much easier to make and right now, the U-channel is cheaper to buy.

If I do go into production, it will be expected that each and every Longhorn be made the same, have a nice appearance and actually work. To do this, I will follow the recipe to the letter, or I wont make them at all.

The way it's shaping up (for now) is that Frank get's the order like always, I build and ship. You pay Frank. Simple sweet as it should be.

Wayner

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #36 on:** 26 Nov 2009, 03:43 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 26 Nov 2009, 12:49 pm

If I do go into production, it will be expected that each and every Longhorn be made the same, have a nice appearance and actually work. To do this, I will follow the recipe to the letter, or I wont make them at all.

The way it's shaping up (for now) is that Frank get's the order like always, I build and ship. You pay Frank. Simple sweet as it should be.

Wayner

Yup - that's why you're the guy to do this, Wayner.

Nice....this will be a good fit for you, man, I'm happy for ya'

My Longhorned Grado with G1+ (shibata) stylus was preferred over the $1200 Grado 'Woodie' Master I had here on several week loan. It was no slouch, either....but I thought my overall preference was with the ~ 1/6 cost Longhorned Grado.

So, you're doing a nice service for vinylphools, too

Maybe Frank will be on pain meds for something else and we can leach another secret recipe from him one day

Laterz, John

Wayner · « **Reply #37 on:** 26 Nov 2009, 03:51 pm »

Thanks for the support, John. There is still some ground work to do, so nothing is in stone yet. Frank is working on the important part. I'm just trying to source all the materials and perhaps make a jig to fabricated the U-channel with more speed and precision. I also want to make a solder jig so equal amounts of solder are placed on each end of the Longhorn.

PS, I do run a Grado Green Longhorn on my Technics SL-Q2 DD TT. So there.

Wayner

rcag_ils · « **Reply #38 on:** 26 Nov 2009, 04:29 pm »

But I still have one question, will the longhorn sound better than the Ultra DAC, or the Ultra DAC will sound better than the longhorn with the right CD recording?

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #39 on:** 26 Nov 2009, 04:50 pm »

Quote from: rcag_ils on 26 Nov 2009, 04:29 pm

But I still have one question, will the longhorn sound better than the Ultra DAC, or the Ultra DAC will sound better than the longhorn with the right CD recording?

I'm running for cover now....

John